Getting Closer, a documentary about megarealist painter Tjalf Sparnaay

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  • čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
  • Getting Closer, a documentary about painter Tjalf Sparnaay by Hester Hagemeijer, 2014
    Full 40 minutes version in HD, English subtitled
    The film tells the tale of Tjalf Sparnaay’s drive to paint and be something exceptional. Paradoxically, to do this he chooses everyday items, which have never been painted in such a megarealistic fashion.
    In his studio we look over his shoulder to see how he works. In the Rijksmuseum he tells us how he has been inspired by 17th century Dutch art. We follow him at exhibits and openings in the Netherlands, but in New York as well, where he tells us about a can of Coca-Cola he found and his fascination with imperfection.
    Jan Six, Ronald Plasterk and Ralph Keuning among others share their experiences.
    Getting Closer brings us closer to Tjalf Sparnaay’s work, which can be found in collections over the world. He is considered one of the most influential hyperrealistic artists of the moment.
    The music accompanying this documentary has been especially written and performed by Tjalf Sparnaay himself.

Komentáře • 1K

  • @markiepadgett
    @markiepadgett Před 4 lety +26

    After three comments, I grow tired of people trying to steal the dialogue of an artist’s work because they have nothing better to contribute. Thank you Tjalf Sparnaay for all your hard work , talent and amazingly precise view of the world we live in.

    • @austindarrenor
      @austindarrenor Před 4 lety +1

      What they're not getting is how much fun Realism is to watch something come to life in front of you. Whether it's an old Coke can or a glass of milk. And if he can do it full time instead of just on weekends then he's got a job that's fun.

    • @ziraprod6090
      @ziraprod6090 Před 10 měsíci

      I agree - and the gallery owner sticking meaning into the paintings that the artist isn't intending. Shiny - Consumerism - Warhol - etc.

  • @littlecazador
    @littlecazador Před 5 lety +23

    What an honest documentary of a true artist.....It makes me really happy for him that his dream and desire became a reality. His hard work, diligence and staying true to himself is extremely inspiring.

  • @sharonjohnson1632
    @sharonjohnson1632 Před 6 lety +3

    All of these people posting negative comments about this artists work should realise that the world does not revolve around their personal critique despite being allowed to form your own opinion, what may not work for some may work for others and to deny its validity based on biased opinion does not negate the fact that this man's work is exceptional. For someone who apparently has 'no imagination' he has certainly done well for himself and continues to fascinate a wide range of people on his subject matter and level of skill, he has taken his work internationally, exhibited it in galleries and is making a good living off of it and I call that successful and he loves what he is doing of which is also important. He has had the guts to pursue a life long dream and he is living proof that through hard work, belief in yourself and your gift and a never give up attitude which allows him to grow in His work and persona all things are possible to them that believe and I find that to be inspirational.

  • @beatle1956
    @beatle1956 Před 4 lety +37

    What a likeable fellow. His work is fantastic. He's doing what he loves to do and making nice money. Good for him!

  • @TaurusPresents
    @TaurusPresents Před 4 lety +9

    What a beautiful and well-made documentary about this painter. When I first saw his work I was immediately impressed by the beauty of everyday things. The fried eggs, the richly filled sandwiches, the salad bowl. If you look closely at his work, you can see with which precision and built-up layers of color the subjects are constructed. The well-stocked salad bowl is so cleverly made. Painting the illusion of transparent glass and the reflection is truly a feast for the eyes. It is strange that some people don't appreciate this when they have never seen these exceptionally well-made still lifes in real life. Last year I also saw some photos of this painter. You also saw the enormous sense of composition and how he manages to capture the wear traces of time. We live in a strange time where we can see the most beautiful things through CZcams, such as this documentary, but where some viewers do not seem to appreciate this. And sometimes I am even more surprised how pulp videos are well viewed and appreciated. Fortunately, as a viewer I can also make the choice to watch and appreciate these kinds of beautifully made videos. And I can recommend everyone, if the opportunity arises, to see this work in real life. Thanks for sharing.

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety

      There are different degrees of difficulty when painting hyper-realisticly. Indeed, the smaller the scale of the painting compared to the real scale of the object, the harder it is to paint hyper-realisticly. Try painting a hamburger or fried egg at its real scale or even smaller hyper-realisticly and you will see that it is much harder than blowing at the scale and filling pixels with colors. Realistic (either classical impressionism, expressionism...) on the other hand require reading the relationships between form, shadows, lights gesture, etc... in its whole and therefore can be worked succesfully at different scales, keeping always its essence.

  • @TheFith
    @TheFith Před 4 lety +12

    He's a master. Wow, such a great documentary. I was captivated throughout the whole thing.

  • @christinajarmolinski727
    @christinajarmolinski727 Před 2 měsíci +1

    The fried egg baffled me. It is amazing or the bowl of salad! It's intricate and modern. It was a great experience for me watching this video and the success and acknowledgement Tjalf has received. He has earned it. Thank you.

  • @stevenedwards4470
    @stevenedwards4470 Před 7 lety +26

    Very cool. I think some of the negative comments here reflect a short sightedness or inability to transpose the artistic vision and techniques of centuries past thru a modern prism. This guy is serious and at the same time doesn't BS about the day to day motivations that drive all of us. I hadn't heard of this artist before but I'm glad I saw this. Thanks for providing it.

    • @jalspach9215
      @jalspach9215 Před 4 lety +2

      And sometimes we overthink comments which are nothing more than the random fleeting, fickle snark of post pubescent fuckery. That wonderful algorithm drew me here off Theo Jansen. Very pleased it did. Cheers.

    • @red2744
      @red2744 Před rokem +2

      nonsense. theres more to painting than copying exactly whats in front of you.

    • @grinwald633
      @grinwald633 Před 10 měsíci

      @@red2744 Totally agree, some lame comments about a frayed teabag string but Hyper-realism is a photographic representation. Doing it in oils shows amazing technique, but does it really elicit any feelings other than appreciation of the skill - where's the art?

    • @alexcalde4422
      @alexcalde4422 Před měsícem

      Here another specimen who believes that the Great Painters did not paint mega-realism,because they could not do it ,very funny friend really haha

  • @bcstephe
    @bcstephe Před 7 lety +4

    Absolutely stunning. "You think you know what's there, but of course you don't." Interesting just the impact this has vs. a real life object in front of you.
    These are all just shockingly beautiful in a way, thrilling really.

  • @markkoscar7869
    @markkoscar7869 Před 7 lety +19

    I can't imagine the concentration and patience it must take to paint these pictures. Impressive

  • @conscience-commenter
    @conscience-commenter Před rokem +2

    The textures and attention to the most minute detail are fabulous . Note how he uses an arm rest and mahl that keep his strokes true and prevent muscle fatigue . He is a modern master .

  • @Lovingtroll
    @Lovingtroll Před 4 lety +5

    A brilliant documentary. Observing a life in pursuit of one's passion is ever-inspiring. Godspeed Tjalf.

  • @mycollegeshirt
    @mycollegeshirt Před 8 lety +6

    a hyper realist artist that doesnt just copy what he sees, now that is incredible

  • @karenholland6910
    @karenholland6910 Před 7 lety +37

    As a would be artist who enjoys realism, I find taking realism to the extreme absolutely fascinating, no matter what the subject matter is. Some of the comments are pathetic and simply reek of jealousy. This wonderful artist is excited because there are still people, in this world of conceptual crap, that get it!!!!

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety

      Hi Karen, you can dislike hyper-realism and conceptual art. There is a HUGE UNIVERSE between these two extremes. I for example love figurative paintings from Goya, from Velazquez, from Picasso and also current artists like Lucian Freud or Jenny Saville, and many others. I find hyper-realism boring and conceptual art most of the times to "cheap".

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety

      An I forgot the great Egon Schiele! :)

    • @MayimHastings
      @MayimHastings Před 4 lety +1

      Karen Holland Exactly! They should have let the art stand for what it is and stop the selling. Just the same, the comments here are nasty. All art is subjective, and just because one doesn’t like the style doesn’t mean they should disrespect the artist! Jealous snobs...

    • @Sabartio
      @Sabartio Před 4 lety +3

      @@lluhu Most people who are fans of hyper-realism here are triggered by opinions like yours based on phrasing. To call something "boring" almost comes off as dismissive of the work behind it and might even be read as contentious. Naturally, you have the right to express these opinions and should do so if you so wish, but you should also understand why some might be offended by it. One can express a dislike of something without devaluing its artistic integrity; I much prefer classic portraiture à la John Singer Sargent, but I realize that it's kind of rude to call other arts "boring" or "cheap".

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety

      @@Sabartio Anny, as most people here, I like to express my opinion and normally give arguments to support it. I talk generally about hyper-realism. I personally don't find it an intellectual approach to painting as there are NO ideas, but just pure representation. I like when the figurative artist is capable of thinking conceptually about lights, shadows, three-dimensional form, expression...and not just simply coloring one pixel after another. If fans like hyper-realism, good for them. They have the right to say how nice hyper-realism is. I don't and I have the right to say that I don't like it. It is called criticism.

  • @coralierousseau2427
    @coralierousseau2427 Před 4 lety +4

    What a fantastic artist, and so gentle and nice. Admirable. Thanks 🙏

  • @Svitojus
    @Svitojus Před 7 lety +46

    Those paintings are not even on par with "megarealists". They are amazing, do not get me wrong, but internet is full of INSANE realism.

    • @FAKEtrailers2
      @FAKEtrailers2 Před 4 lety +3

      are you saying that the stuff he creates can be painted to be more real? i dont think even the best 'megarealist' painting the same egg would come up with a more real looking egg

    • @bliss230
      @bliss230 Před 4 lety +5

      Yeah, and it's all shit

    • @roshandangol9080
      @roshandangol9080 Před 4 lety +1

      true

    • @manoomunicnent1773
      @manoomunicnent1773 Před 4 lety +1

      Because the Internet is naff :)
      Also if you could 3d print an edible egg composing all the complex chemicals an egg is made up of could you claim that as megarealism?

    • @user-dq2ym1nn9k
      @user-dq2ym1nn9k Před 4 lety

      Yeah the indians are killing it at the 'megarealism'!!! :)

  • @Mr05241948
    @Mr05241948 Před 4 lety +4

    He is a master painter, and his realism is astonishingly beautiful

  • @gast4215
    @gast4215 Před 4 lety +4

    Thanks for this documentary. Love the "flea market Vermeer". What could be more rewarding than being able to say, your dreams came true? Congratulations for reaching this stage!

  • @triconcert
    @triconcert Před 10 měsíci

    Wow! What an experience viewing this documentary. As an artist you're taught to strive for painterly works but when you see Tjalf's hyper realism something traditional and majestic wells up in you. Complexly exquisite and beautiful!

  • @benhartart9487
    @benhartart9487 Před 4 lety +10

    This art takes sooo much focus and time to complete, I can respect the effort, though I prefer a more impressionist loose style but still nice egg!

  • @kalayne6713
    @kalayne6713 Před 10 měsíci +4

    I never tire of seeing the incredible talent of an artist like this. I consider myself to be creative but to recreate such reality is next level. Godlike.

    • @hughjazz64
      @hughjazz64 Před 10 měsíci +2

      Realism has nothing to do with talent; it's a hard-earned skill. That's why hyperrealism is not considered art but craftsmanship. A craftsman copies reality, while an artist creates their own. It's great, however, that such painters as Tjalf Sparnaay still exist. I would love to have one of his works in my art collection.

  • @Lynchppi
    @Lynchppi Před 4 lety +20

    Whenever I venture into the comments section it reminds me why I rarely venture into the comments section.

    • @edzejandehaan9265
      @edzejandehaan9265 Před 4 lety

      Well, at least you went to the trouble of imparting that piece of wisdom on us. That counts for something.

    • @BenedictHarris
      @BenedictHarris Před 4 lety +4

      Nothing like photo-realistic painting to raise the hackles of non-painters

  • @InsanityHere
    @InsanityHere Před 8 lety

    I'm so totally blown away by his paintings. The painting of the cheeseburger, the flattened coke can. Wow!
    I wish this guy continued success.

  • @tylero8595
    @tylero8595 Před 8 lety +2

    some people are just amazing. He seems 100% genuine and happy. Very nice.

  • @funmonsterUK
    @funmonsterUK Před 4 lety +4

    The art of re-creating and bringing vibrance to a scene that we as people have lost to familiarity... I love it

  • @calvancandy8384
    @calvancandy8384 Před 7 lety +22

    I'm glad his dream came true I'm working on mine.

  • @kathleen7849
    @kathleen7849 Před 4 lety

    I admire realism but was never really a fan of it but I quite like his work. I the simplicity and the brightness of it. The egg is wonderful. The texture, the sheen. I'm fascinated with light. I connect it with God.

  • @momredandjonny
    @momredandjonny Před 3 lety

    The documentary is well done and a quiet time spent talking about art. Some times in these films the art is grating, the artist a boor, and the talk facile but here the film is a pleasure to watch, the artist is open and engaging. As for the subject matter, well, this too can be a relief from the dark, moody angst that is so common. We all paint what we like. Enjoyed it.

  • @passion777able
    @passion777able Před 4 lety +4

    I like this art. It's not boring. It's inspiring. I wish I had his level of skill.

    • @austindarrenor
      @austindarrenor Před 4 lety

      There's something really special about watching something come to life in front of you, whether it's an old Coke can or a glass of milk. I know, I do it in pencil.

    • @passion777able
      @passion777able Před 4 lety

      @@austindarrenor Hi Gary! Good for you. Enjoying what you do is most important. If you enjoy what you are doing, others will enjoy it too. So don't give up. You'll get better every time you do it. Pencil is excellent. I knew a lady that was only 3 feet tall and she had mastered animal portraits with CRAYONS! She drew each hair with skill and a sharp crayon. She was incredible.

    • @Gnaboaix
      @Gnaboaix Před 4 lety

      @@passion777able Hi Silvia, can you share her website, instagram, or whatever platform she is using to show her work, please?

    • @passion777able
      @passion777able Před 4 lety

      @@Gnaboaix Hello friend. MY short friend passed over 12 years ago. She was a dwarf. Unfortunately, she only did commission work to make a little bit of money on the side. She never had it published or belonged to any of the social mediums we have now. I met her in 1982. I might have a few photos of her work but they are in storage along with a lot of my stuff I packed away when I sold my house. Sorry I can't show you what she did but she was amazing. Thank you for asking.

    • @Gnaboaix
      @Gnaboaix Před 4 lety

      @@passion777able I'm sorry to hear that. I can imagine how amazing she must've been from the way you describing her.

  • @z1522
    @z1522 Před 8 lety +64

    When the gallery dealer waxes eloquent about the hidden Warhol or Rothko or Mondrian, it's more likely that normal scenes and objects all contain such treasures, and the Rothkos and Mondrians of the world abstracted them; this fellow might, but just as easily might not be consciously referencing them so you have to be cautious listening to critics with vested interests, as they are able to spin gold from choss. This fellow does show a wry hint of humor that helps separate his from clinically cold photorealism, but the techniques shown aren't particularly 'Old Masters' ones - no glazes, dramatic sidelighting, etc. Ironically, up close Rembrandts dissolve into pure Jackson Pollock abstraction, so the magic occurs where the paint recreates objects in the viewer's mind. These are more eye candy, vivid and appetizing but you quickly overdose and are ready to take a nap.

    • @Badtastemamma
      @Badtastemamma Před 8 lety

      Also I wonder where his work will be in 200 years time ?

    • @donmiata8731
      @donmiata8731 Před 7 lety +2

      time will tell

    • @chevy0chase
      @chevy0chase Před 7 lety +2

      I think this is a fairly concise counter-argument, I could see this getting exhausted. Perhaps I won't try to swim out to the deep-end with this style.

    • @johnmartle7263
      @johnmartle7263 Před 7 lety

      Val O'Brien More positive art not the dark shit.

    • @slashpot
      @slashpot Před 7 lety +1

      The piece which really impressed me was the vase of flowers at the unveiling. Seen a million vases, some are incredible, some are dull, This was like the antithesis of a Fantin-Latour, but with nearly as great an effect. Very colourful paintings aren't always garish. Someone who is expert with colour (certainly this guy's greatest skill), can make it work beautifully, and the extreme detail is actually quite unusual with such a beautiful subject. Hyper-Photorealism tends to stick to the modern, mundane and clinical; a window frame, old vehicle grille... Sometimes a nude, but usually without grace or 'standard' beauty. Or they go for the banal; a burger, vegetables or packaging. In this respect they are fulfilling one of the obligations of the painter: to report is time for posterity. Something the masters certainly did, in work such as "Night Watch" and the altarpieces and such the renaissance greats made for the rich families. But that duty has dived into the back-seat since photography & video became the standard method for recording history, which is probably why fine art evolved into pure abstraction as the lens evolved into the complete 'reporter'. Thankfully that journey reached its conclusion with the pure black or white canvas. And now, slowly, figurative work is once more allowed to be called art, and unskilled 'paint chucking' is fading into little more than gimmick. The skilled master can return to his position, and maybe the 'ordinary folk' will start buying art for their walls instead of nothing or posters of whales and water. Won't that be fun! Damien Hirst run out of town on a rail and those artists who get others to paint their pictures en masse get tarred & feathered. Normal people might get to see a real Rembrandt or Vermeer and get it which just doesn't happen with an image on a doco, or a crap reproduction.
      The one amusing thought about such hyper-realism, is that it can probably be achieved without real drafting skill - the mark of the real artist - as there is no chance Tjalf is drawing this to canvas. The outline of his final master is probably put together in Photoshop & maybe even printed onto the canvas, obviating the entire drawing/sketching process. After all, when kids are blowing minds on youtube with a photorealistic pencil of their favourite celeb, and getting away with being called artists - when what they’ve done is traced another person's photo and simply done the shading - maybe all the skills & hard won knowledge of the Master artist is obsolete after 3000 years.
      Shame, it is the most Fun bit of art.

  • @ceessmit9972
    @ceessmit9972 Před 10 měsíci

    Dear Tjalf,
    Met toenemend respect voor het ongelofelijke dat je weet te presteren op het doek krijg ik ook steeds meer waardering en ontzag voor je performances.
    Stillevens ga/ging ik gemiddeld genomen snel aan voorbij in musea of vernissages.
    Jij brengt een volstrekt ander ‘licht’ op deze tak van art.
    Hoe iemand dit voor elkaar weet te brengen grenst voor mij aan het onwaarschijnlijke.
    Wens je veel succes, inspiratie en plezier bij je komende performances.
    Hartelijke groet uit de Auvergne 😅

  • @carolatchley229
    @carolatchley229 Před 4 lety

    Responding to someone else's comment I say, everybody's opinion matters. We may disagree, but it doesn't mean one of us is wrong. I loved learning about Mr. Sparnaay's work. It is incredible to me. His bouquet of flowers was stunning. In addition, I'm always pleased to see someone make a big life goal and attain it. It's not easy at all.

  • @fournierveronique6466
    @fournierveronique6466 Před 8 lety +3

    Taking a photo with the flash light is completly forbidden in a gallery !!

  • @tadghsmith1457
    @tadghsmith1457 Před 8 lety +123

    Isn't it strange that they don't ever show him working from photographs? Yet he himself admits that he works very closely from photographs, at that is the only way photo-realism can be done. Perhaps they thought that showing him copying from a photo would have ruined the "mystique of the artist?

    • @Uojomo
      @Uojomo Před 8 lety +19

      +Tadgh Smith This is a very astute observation of yours. He clearly discusses his photographic reproduction technique, at least to the extent of the creation of his reference images. If one watches the video carefully, there are many indicators of even his painting techniques. He essentially is creating a high-dynamic-range painting using essentially a high-dynamic-range photograph--in other words, a composite image (as he states in the video). By the way, I am an artist, oil painter, and I respect this man's work.

    • @Badtastemamma
      @Badtastemamma Před 8 lety +7

      not much mystic going on here ! Excellent technician though

    • @samuelazeredoo
      @samuelazeredoo Před 7 lety +1

      The Whalens do u even know what High dynamic range means? lol

    • @Badtastemamma
      @Badtastemamma Před 7 lety +1

      Samuel Azeredo please enlighten us Samuel !

    • @samuelazeredoo
      @samuelazeredoo Před 7 lety +5

      Janet Storey the dynamic range is like the range of color and value that is in a photo, for example, u cant have a bright sky and bright ocean in a sunset photo, so the high dynamic range is when u compose two photos with diferent dynamic ranges to create a photo that looks super "real" and have a lot of details. I think that was what uojomo meant by high dynamic range on his comment. I might be wrong though :p

  • @Gersberms
    @Gersberms Před 7 měsíci

    Prachtig. Dat vorkje sprak me direct aan toen ik dat zag! Als kind was ik al gefascineerd met die afgeknipte rondjes achterop.

  • @ElmwoodParkHulk
    @ElmwoodParkHulk Před 7 lety

    Yigal Ozeri said to me "don't be afraid of beauty ". You put in your time and deserve the reward. Traditionalists aren't going to like photo realism but every art form,music has its criticism. Davinci criticized Micheal Angelo lol. It's hard work what you do ,not just the art but the marketing and promotion. I worked with Ozeri who arguably is the greatest photo realism artist of our time and I got to see the business side of it at Manna in Jersey City where the studio is. Nice to see you making it .

  • @pdn-vd5om
    @pdn-vd5om Před 7 lety +5

    A wonderful documentary. Thanks

  • @andreacarboni9501
    @andreacarboni9501 Před 4 lety +18

    I mean, you have great talent, no money issues, you ve got an audience ready to worship you
    and you paint a mc Donald advertisement

    • @vishnu2407
      @vishnu2407 Před 4 lety +1

      So?

    • @dixynormous5901
      @dixynormous5901 Před 4 lety +1

      And yet every 2 bit "art" enthusiast wants to suck Warhol's dick because he copied a soup can? This guy composes his own subject matter, he seeks it out by way of exploring & chance encounter, or he makes a damn sandwich and reproduces it stunningly and on a grand scale. I know which artist I prefer.

  • @debrasabalewski9144
    @debrasabalewski9144 Před 8 měsíci

    Idea. Fill an empty room with painted canvas cover walls as if it were a full room. Have an easel in room as though that is what people are coming to see. When it is really everything walls, ceiling ,floor, books, windows, dust bileaus, etc. a real room.❤ love your work.

  • @crusty21
    @crusty21 Před 7 lety

    The effort and talent is what counts here. Finding beauty in fleeting objects you are about to devour only adds to the mystique of our temporary yet intricate existence...He preserves it on canvas.

  • @rstash1
    @rstash1 Před 4 lety +9

    His brain and mind see the world differently from the rest of us. He can recreate what he sees almost perfectly. The fools who complain that all he paints is eggs don't get it.

    • @trahapace150
      @trahapace150 Před 4 lety

      Yes because someone who has a different tastes than you is automatically a fool

  • @leftpastsaturn67
    @leftpastsaturn67 Před 7 lety +86

    Scrolled down to find the expected negativity... and there it is.
    Not everyone can be an artist, but anyone can be a critic. Which one has more value I wonder.
    Art is subjective, and telling everyone you don't rate something on a YT comment section is utterly pointless... why not create your own art, get recognised, become sought-after, have someone make a documentary about you, post it here, and watch as dozens of talentless keyboard critics pass their ill-informed opinions in a caustic manner. You'll love it.

    • @Seanz421
      @Seanz421 Před 6 lety +6

      This comment is spot on. Beautifully stated😉.

    • @diegoyepes6454
      @diegoyepes6454 Před 4 lety +2

      im sorry man, but if the theme of your work is your technique, then its not an artistic work, its just mechanic. why compete with a camera? there is a camera doing that job already. why not reduce reality to an esential design where you can express who you are instead? thats art..but hey if you are too thick to get that its ok. have a nice day.

    • @duantorruellas716
      @duantorruellas716 Před 4 lety +6

      Being an artist I never say anything negative about an artist's work , however I'm hypocritical because when it comes to films I will say sometimes, that movie was terrible. I know it's wrong but I consider it less of a personal attack on someones creativity because it's a group project and few films stick to the vision like music because it changes dramatically from its initial idea . Production , rewrites , censors , etc.
      But with this painter and those ultra realist like him there is a market and those who like it .
      It's not my cup of tea but those who may say he's a camera , I can only say what makes him novel is that he has the skill to be equal to a camera, this is what makes people say wow.
      To be able to get that kind of detail stems back to the Flemish and Dutch painters that had an uncanny enamel like quality to they're paintings.
      Vermeer painted like a camera back then lensed light box or not , he was brilliant. And the subject matter was the same, it was household stuff , things you see in the house , food , flowers , chairs , milkmaids.
      So this painter has skill , concept of a historical lineage
      and those like me who get it.

    • @duantorruellas716
      @duantorruellas716 Před 4 lety

      Hahahahahah

    • @diegoyepes6454
      @diegoyepes6454 Před 4 lety +1

      @Janet C. Hunter im not saying anyones work is worthless. Im saying that making it look like a photo isnt the goal. Just make a photo then why bother?

  • @charlesprice925
    @charlesprice925 Před 4 lety

    It's the art of seeing the magnificent in the mundane and the assumed. Look past the subject. The intricate workings of contrast, the play of light, is a shift back to the classic, and it comes from sharp observation and exacting skill. He's got it. Focus tight enough on any given place, in any of his paintings, and you find the abstract. The pendulum has crested and we get to see what comes next in art. The reason to create is to capture a thing in it's time an place. Time is frozen, along with the unseen that came with it, from time capsule to past influences. It's the human act of doing. It is only when, all possibilities, are focused through a human do we get something. Good job, Sparnaay.

  • @Memeophobe
    @Memeophobe Před 4 lety

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful paintings with us.I'm deeply touched ,and moved by them.
    They truly, truly capture the moment ,without imprisoning it-and , after all, isn't that what so many great artists strive for?
    "Beauty is truth, truth beauty,-that is all
    Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
    "He leads me beside the still waters.
    He restores my soul "
    Your music is full of beauty, too.
    Thank you.

  • @arsendicarloss7199
    @arsendicarloss7199 Před 4 lety +4

    Guys plz give credit where its due... the guy he's incredible in what he does...as a painter myself iwud say... d negative coments we c bellow r frm jealous ppl who cnt acknowledge this amazing talent... #my/point/of/view.

    • @bluegirlonsunday
      @bluegirlonsunday Před 4 lety

      I don't want to sound mean, but I couldn't understand the second half of the comment.

  • @PHeMoX
    @PHeMoX Před 8 lety +62

    Wow so much questionable negative comments on here. Why? The hyperrealism in his painting is extraordinary, both in craftsmanship (flawless colour mixing and extremely realistic depiction of subject with amazing eye for detail) and artistic execution (composition, concept, impact etc.). It's fairly crazy to see people question this type of art. Surely it's not everyone's cup of tea and I get that. But having tried to paint hyperrealism myself I know this is *not* easy. Heck, it's not easy to literally copy from a photograph and end up with something interesting. I also don't think any false claims were made about his style reflecting an obviously more modern take on what originated from the 17th century dutch masters. I think people are misunderstanding the comments on lighting and style in the video if they expect to see a Rembrandt style fog of darkness, encompassing subjects like a thick coat to create a focus of interest. Sparnaay's work to me looks like an evolution of that style of lighting and attention for realism, without being a copy. It's less painterly than say John Singer Sargent's work is, but the influence is undeniably there. I would also say Sparnaay is probably not quite a complete specialist when it comes to trompe-'loeil, but it's definitely present in most of his paintings.

    • @Milosmetal
      @Milosmetal Před 7 lety +3

      It's just the braggadocios way of selling the work that's creating the negative. That gets old and clearly repeals the viewer. It's also dangerous to compare to old masters. The art is brilliant.

    • @jennyh5641
      @jennyh5641 Před 7 lety +14

      It's questionable because it isn't original in any way. There's no way to distinguish this artist's work visually from any other hyperrealistic artist. just search hyperrealism on youtube or instagram and you'll find hundreds of artists who are all doing the same thing - meticulously copying something onto a canvas with no variation because they have absolutely no original ideas. So your painting looks like a photo. Big whoop.

    • @oopalonga
      @oopalonga Před 7 lety +5

      its absolutely not easy and the craftmanship is insane--but why the FUCK would you paint this shit? I don't get it. it lacks any sort of imagination. I mean what is the point? how is it different than just blowing up an HD picture of something?

    • @oopalonga
      @oopalonga Před 7 lety

      yup, exactly my thoughts.

    • @clutterpossum6557
      @clutterpossum6557 Před 7 lety

      oopalonga, because it's there.

  • @maximhollandnederlandthene7640

    Wonderful works of art ✌
    Ik ben van de perfectie afgestapt, geen realisme meer.
    Nu spiritueel, dromen, emoties en feelings met een boodschap.

  • @soilgrasswaterair
    @soilgrasswaterair Před 4 lety

    This reminded me of art teachers telling their students to remove the photo and draw the motive from their mind instead. Or like a child that can bike, but will still not allow the parent to remove the training wheels off of their bike.
    He is far too skilled to not fly off and make incredible heart tied to his heart!

  • @panchamkauns
    @panchamkauns Před 4 lety +48

    ”I have trained myself to paint at an incredible level.”
    ”That’s great! What did you paint?”
    ”I painted an egg”
    Gotta love it

    • @BenedictHarris
      @BenedictHarris Před 4 lety +2

      He fried his own egg to paint. I kind of CAN'T EVEN

    • @oldrikky
      @oldrikky Před 4 lety +2

      so what are you doing..??

  • @antoniskyriakou327
    @antoniskyriakou327 Před 4 lety +3

    AMAZING ARTIST!!ONE OF MY FAVOURITES

  • @SergioooFerretti
    @SergioooFerretti Před 7 lety +1

    Great movie. Really happy that he has made a dream come true. Its a tuff way, who chase their dreams know it very good. Paintings are great !

  • @TheDaddyO44
    @TheDaddyO44 Před 7 lety +2

    The words 'exciting' and 'beautiful' should definitely be used to describe certain types of art - I'm right with you Mr Meisel - good man! :)

  • @apedreus
    @apedreus Před 4 lety +5

    Dude is much more impressed with himself than anyone else is.

  • @lluhu
    @lluhu Před 4 lety +252

    He has great skills, but after seeing three paintings I get tired of hyper-realism.

    • @danielmanalili2062
      @danielmanalili2062 Před 4 lety +38

      walktheworld i feel you there , it gets boring it’s like it has no story to tell the viewers

    • @TaurusPresents
      @TaurusPresents Před 4 lety +13

      Perhaps you should have looked more closely and deepened to understand what the art form is. And you don't have to appreciate it either, but have you also wondered if your opinion really matters. Fortunately, we can all choose whether we like something and whether we want to pay attention to it. ;-)

    • @red2744
      @red2744 Před 4 lety +20

      Same tho
      Im always amazed by how crazy of siill you need to paint so accurate but then again its all just technical thinking and kind of mathematic its boring
      I prefer visible brushstrokes and expression in realism

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety +26

      @@TaurusPresents My opinion matters to me :)

    • @bluebimmer33
      @bluebimmer33 Před 4 lety +5

      Do you feel the same way about photography?

  • @hdgboy
    @hdgboy Před 4 lety +1

    As usual, folks are over thinking. Nothing complicated here. Just a painter here who happens to paint photo realistic subjects. That in itself is quite impressive and he is incredibly talented. You either like it, don’t like it or are indifferent. I liked it.

  • @sj4632
    @sj4632 Před 4 lety

    Amazing. Love that Coca Cola painting. He brought a dirty and forgotten soda back to life.

  • @robertcook2680
    @robertcook2680 Před 4 lety +5

    This work is technically impeccable, but hardly unique or unparalleled. There are many artists who can do this. It is primarily a technical achievement, and amounts to reproducing photographs in paint. To do such work seems redundant by now. However, the work is accomplished and many find it pleasing. This is what any artist wants: an appreciative audience.

  • @Color-Theory
    @Color-Theory Před 9 lety +7

    "He's using this Dutch, old master technique in a contemporary way which makes puts him on a genius level..." Not sure that Frank Bernarducci understands his profession as well as he should...the only thing traditionally Dutch about that process is the painter using it, lol...Still GORGEOUS paintings!

    • @carlcat
      @carlcat Před 4 lety +1

      Color Theory: To me it looks less of Dutch master techniques and more like New York photo realism in the 60's such as Richard Estes. Fun paintings tho and well done.

  • @Deanriley
    @Deanriley Před 10 měsíci

    Love the detail, the depth of attention, the concentration required to create these still life paintings. Would love to own a work by this painter.

  • @kevincasha8241
    @kevincasha8241 Před 10 měsíci

    This video made me understand what megarealism really is...well done and a fantastically skilled artist

  • @paulmcgreevy3011
    @paulmcgreevy3011 Před 4 lety +5

    Fabulous work but a lot of artists you see on CZcams paint this hyper real way now and the problem is if they were all brought together to paint a fried egg in a pan the corner of the room they will all produce exactly the same image.

  • @Bailatumbas
    @Bailatumbas Před 4 lety +21

    Huge skills, without anything to tell

    • @Beethovenfan12
      @Beethovenfan12 Před 4 lety +3

      Wow, you really missed the point, I think. The rusted Cola can said it all, for me. Andy Warhol was celebrated for painting an exact likeness of Campbell's Soup cans. Tjalf takes that same idea, and shows us that same realism, but with the inevitable degradation and decay of things. I think that's quite a message.

    • @sherion80
      @sherion80 Před 10 měsíci

      @@Beethovenfan12 Warhol wasn't celebrated for the likeness of the depicted cans, but for the fact, that he dared to paint such a mundane thing like a can and name it art.

  • @compulsor5853
    @compulsor5853 Před 7 lety

    Beautifully done film on one of the most incredible artists; also brutally challenging to those of us who KNOW we're doing less with our gifts than we "should"- an artful kick in the pants as it were, at least for this viewer.

  • @mikecathy3875
    @mikecathy3875 Před 4 lety +1

    The kind of art that takes your breath away.

  • @Nullllus
    @Nullllus Před 7 lety +88

    A knife against a non-stick pan is a crime.

    • @nahuelv2
      @nahuelv2 Před 5 lety +6

      Yeaaaahh.... i feel totally outrage!!... Thougth I was the only one

    • @arlingtonhynes
      @arlingtonhynes Před 4 lety +1

      Nahuel axb You weren’t.

    • @dinoleo3804
      @dinoleo3804 Před 4 lety +1

      It's Madness

    • @BDTPBO
      @BDTPBO Před 4 lety +1

      Makes me hate his art.

    • @Simon05784
      @Simon05784 Před 3 lety

      😂 Yeah, me too. I said noooo.! I guess for the sake of art...?

  • @dfghdfghuytiu8207
    @dfghdfghuytiu8207 Před 4 lety +8

    Those paintings would make great jigsaw puzzles.

  • @oldrikky
    @oldrikky Před 4 lety +1

    wonderful documentary. I live in Holland ,and will definately try to see some of your work...as soon as this crisis is over..

  • @zogzog1063
    @zogzog1063 Před 4 lety

    I'm in love. From New Zealand he is a breath of fresh air. A Dubov in the world of chess or a Chekov in Russian poetry.

  • @notgirly1923
    @notgirly1923 Před 8 lety +4

    "But you can also detect a deeper layer in it. You could almost call it a layer of social criticism."

  • @MrMjp58
    @MrMjp58 Před 8 lety +6

    I was loving this till I read the comments. Everyone's a critic [yes, including me!]

  • @talbrott
    @talbrott Před 3 lety

    The plastic wrapped Vermeer with a price tag is genius. Outstanding.

  • @MichaelOZimmermannJCDECS

    When I look at his art, I get hungry! And hat is a compliment... Love his way of looking at mundane things in our lives...

    • @marcomaihofer
      @marcomaihofer Před 4 lety

      I don't like a perfect egg, I like a tasty one , this is just perfect and I can't smell it.

  • @mpking-ey7ys
    @mpking-ey7ys Před 8 lety +6

    16:30 16:47 It's crazy to mention Rothko and abstraction when you talk about Sparnaay. This is proof that some art experts are just over interpreting what they see and bullshit them to who they think are less cultured people like me.

    • @rev1595
      @rev1595 Před 4 lety

      Good grief are you right about that.

    • @Gnaboaix
      @Gnaboaix Před 4 lety +1

      Yes when something is magnified to a certain degree, of course it's going to be unrecognizable thus "abstract", ahah.

  • @samuelazeredoo
    @samuelazeredoo Před 7 lety +23

    omg people, just let the guy paint the way he wants, can't u see he is happy that way?

    • @craigcotter7476
      @craigcotter7476 Před 7 lety +6

      no

    • @somerandomname3124
      @somerandomname3124 Před 7 lety

      When ever I see arguments like this I think
      "Just let that rapist deflower that four year old, it makes him happy so let him be."

    • @AnAtomintheUniverse
      @AnAtomintheUniverse Před 7 lety +5

      So you're comparing a man painting on a canvas to a pedophile?
      What a bizarre individual you are.

    • @mikerickard9586
      @mikerickard9586 Před 4 lety

      Michael Lozano Oh, shut the fuck up!

  • @maryreynolds5310
    @maryreynolds5310 Před 6 lety

    Hyperrealistic art is definitely my favorite type of art.
    Thank you Tjalf!

  • @esteladrasdo
    @esteladrasdo Před 4 lety +1

    I love his paintings..... maybe one day I will be able to afford a small one.... I can dream!

  • @clacclackerson3678
    @clacclackerson3678 Před 4 lety +33

    Paintings done with great skill and little art.

    • @milosblagojevic5899
      @milosblagojevic5899 Před 4 lety +1

      His composition of the still life and shadow and light is what really makes him a good artist, though i agree that hyperrealism is not a preferable form of art, but his teqnique combined with his composition of old masters really makes it unique, and if it was done in traditional style, it wouldnt be as interesting.

    • @johnsmith-wx5fb
      @johnsmith-wx5fb Před 4 lety +3

      Look at all those with little art and great skill at B.S ing everybody

    • @moncorp1
      @moncorp1 Před 4 lety +1

      Disagree with OP entirely.

    • @craigcotter7476
      @craigcotter7476 Před 4 lety

      @@moncorp1 that's because you're a philistine who has no understanding of art at all.

  • @nichegoseberazdvatri
    @nichegoseberazdvatri Před 7 lety +4

    you're a realist but yet the egg disbursed on the pan the way it intended, and yet you cut out the part you don't think fits within the desired image you have in mind. what makes that part of the egg undesirable?

  • @ravenbones9808
    @ravenbones9808 Před 4 lety +1

    Oh. .My...God ... Wow, I've never heard of him, thank you for the documentary , amazing :O

  • @jtpaar1732
    @jtpaar1732 Před 4 lety

    While I am not a fan of 'pop culture' art and would soon tire of looking at a painting of a fried egg or sandwich hanging in my home, to each his own. There's no doubt, however, that Mr. Sparnaay has incredible skill and an innate sense of how to capture hyper-realism in a fun and unique way, given his subject matter. I can only imagine the masterpiece he'd create, transferring that skill set to painting a scene involving humans; I think we caught a glimpse of this promise in the beautiful flower painting at the end of the video. Hyper-realism IS art and for those of you who have your doubts...just try to paint it yourself & see how difficult it is!

  • @gordonenquist36
    @gordonenquist36 Před 8 lety +8

    I enjoyed this documentary, Tjalf's workmanship and workplace. Did notice though that Coke cans do not rust, as they are aluminum.
    Cheers Eh!

    • @Hellica08
      @Hellica08 Před 8 lety +4

      They were made of steel at one point.

    • @StermaPerma
      @StermaPerma Před 7 lety

      Thud Butt Stainless steel

  • @mugushi54
    @mugushi54 Před 4 lety +32

    So many terms. Hyper-realism, photo-realism, now Mega-realism. Not sure what is next, computer printer realism? Oh wait, that exists.

    • @rev1595
      @rev1595 Před 4 lety +5

      Why not just take a picture? I don't understand why artists are still trying to recreate what a camera can already do.

    • @rev1595
      @rev1595 Před 4 lety

      @@simoneliasbjorkman but it's just so Dutch...
      because food still life

    • @sarads7877
      @sarads7877 Před 4 lety +3

      Seth T Cause taking a picture of a rusted can is not really that impressive, i wouldn’t pay to see it. Painting it with every detail being spot on, that’s impressive
      Plus, half the time they paint something that doesn’t actually exist: they create a composition and then they use references to make it look real, but they don’t actually have the object in front of them.
      For example, i saw a hyperrealistic painting of a naval port that was entirely made up by the painter, so there’s no way of getting a pic of that.
      Also, things like that perfectly transparent bowl... you can’t achieve that by just taking a picture, unless you use photoshop, which defeats the entire of purpose of “just take a picture”

    • @rev1595
      @rev1595 Před 4 lety

      @@sarads7877 the end result is pretty much the same for me, whether using a camera with photoshop or paint. Even if the scene is made up, it still has a "here's the thing" effect. A painting of a rusted can isn't any more or less impressive to me than a photograph of one.

    • @staxter6
      @staxter6 Před 4 lety

      Like sports car, super car, hyper car..too many superlatives.

  • @HULLGRAFFITI
    @HULLGRAFFITI Před 10 měsíci

    The devils in the detail..., The translucence on those chips is just incredible..

  • @lada7539
    @lada7539 Před 4 lety +1

    In 500 years it may be interesting to observe today’s life studying this paintings.

    • @lluhu
      @lluhu Před 4 lety

      or just simply look at pictures...

  • @viktoriyarts
    @viktoriyarts Před 7 lety +8

    when you're copying reality, it wins, and fantasy looses..

  • @snaefellsen
    @snaefellsen Před 4 lety +11

    Stunning but the Motives dont inspired me.

  • @edilalewis654
    @edilalewis654 Před 4 lety +1

    Marvelous painting

  • @KoalaLumpUhr
    @KoalaLumpUhr Před 4 lety

    For every excellent artist, you need 126 experts who explain you why the paintings look good.

  • @Splatterpunk_OldNewYork
    @Splatterpunk_OldNewYork Před 8 lety +25

    Big fan of how painter dude used a camera, and then a projector to trace the images onto the support (I know those trace marks anywhere) and then has the balls to say in the style of the dutch masters. Their paintings informed us of the human condition, then they were beautiful. This dude paints Macdonalds and pepsi. Just like Warhol indeed fake.

    • @Badtastemamma
      @Badtastemamma Před 8 lety +1

      +Martin Jasiak Totally agree see my comment above

    • @MrJimmygolden
      @MrJimmygolden Před 8 lety +16

      The old masters did project and trace , do some research before you try to make someone look like less a person or artist

    • @Splatterpunk_OldNewYork
      @Splatterpunk_OldNewYork Před 8 lety

      Don't get angry, the verdict on whether they did or not is vague, to say the least. I have done my research, for like 20 years bud. Learn to paint, and then get some insight into what this guy is actually doing.

    • @pasqualetartaglia9639
      @pasqualetartaglia9639 Před 7 lety

      agree

    • @justdonnaplease
      @justdonnaplease Před 7 lety

      sorry to reply to a year old comment, but how did they project/trace back then? I'm curious

  • @Daginxz
    @Daginxz Před 4 lety +7

    The sandwich looks just like a “broodje bert” sandwich!

  • @laurav179
    @laurav179 Před 4 lety

    Stunning painter and skills to perfection, I am sure he will continue to grow and transition into an artist, maybe even a great artist of his time. Time will tell...

  • @mustangdave63
    @mustangdave63 Před 7 lety

    Excellent documentary and a very proud Tjalf, the critics are fine with there guided views but then that's why they are not artists and if they are they are giving there own though's on his work, for myself looking in i have a lot of respect for anyone to commit there time and effort sweat, and at times toiling with there work and busy life's to produce perfection of a high caliber such as Tjalf.

  • @mateuszwinnik5969
    @mateuszwinnik5969 Před 7 lety +8

    Hyper-realism in painting is more like sport than art. There is not much value in it except of WOW effect.

  • @mr.bloodvessel260
    @mr.bloodvessel260 Před 5 lety +4

    No doubt his technique is superb, but how about his subject matter?

  • @gattbe5611
    @gattbe5611 Před 8 lety +1

    absolutely brilliant in its circum tangential juxta balancing...The magnificent spectral luminosity of the negative forces pressuring the validated terminated values.. ( artspeak ) TRUTH::: art is anything you can get away with !!!

  • @rayerscarpensael2300
    @rayerscarpensael2300 Před 10 měsíci

    Degenen die hier door de mand vallen zijn de kunstcritici. Wat een gezwets maar dure banen en mooi haar.

  • @elr8691
    @elr8691 Před 4 lety +8

    I like the paintings. I don't like all the other dudes in the documentary trying to justify their salaries.

    • @adamblauser8946
      @adamblauser8946 Před 4 lety +1

      ELR I hear you. These jack offs trying to make his paintings into social commentary and profound insight into culture, what crap. Yuck, and Warhol was too. I enjoy real talent and artists, not just illustrators. Rockwell was leagues ahead of this guy if they measured

    • @morpheusjp
      @morpheusjp Před 4 lety

      me too

  • @gabrieln91
    @gabrieln91 Před 7 lety +9

    i don t really know if this is art, skill and craft rather...

    • @powerblades
      @powerblades Před 4 lety +1

      It's a photo printed with oil paints

    • @Fat_black_cat
      @Fat_black_cat Před 4 lety

      @@powerblades I would like to see you do a photo printed with oil painting!!! Dumb ass!!

  • @zniborz
    @zniborz Před 8 lety

    Heerlijke docu. Bedankt voor het uploaden.

  • @romaniasante3633
    @romaniasante3633 Před 7 lety +1

    I like the realism I think it's one of the best I've come across ...